Will Japanese Warships Carry Long-Range Cruise Missiles?

23 Mei 2021

Maya class destroyer (photo : JMSDF)

According to Japanese media, if Article 9 is removed when amending the Constitution, the Japanese Aegis battleships will be equipped with cruise missiles to increase their attack capabilities.

Speaking to reporters on May 20, Japan's Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said the country would have to build up its military strength at a "completely different pace" than in the past to counter military capabilities, growing number of regional rivals.

Nobuo Kishi warned that the gap between the Japanese and Chinese militaries is widening, along with citing China's military spending as well as its presence in the war on the islands, new fields such as aerospace, electromagnetic.

Currently, the security environment around Japan is changing rapidly with increasing instability. Japan will properly allocate funds for national defense according to necessary needs.

Tomahawk cruise missile (photo : inf)

Japan's postwar constitution limits military operations to defensive power, and efforts to increase military strength have drawn mixed reactions. Currently, Japan's defense spending tends to hover around 1% of gross domestic product (GDP).

Mr. Kishi's comments came as Japan's lower house of parliament passed a nationwide referendum bill on amending the country's Basic Law (Constitution).

It should be emphasized that both the representatives of the Japanese ruling coalition and the opposition voted in favor of this document (bill). And so, it can be asserted that all political forces in the country support the revision of the Constitution.

LRASM ship-based version, anti-ship missile (photo : usni)

There are a number of issues that will be put to the referendum, but the most important one will relate to Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan, which prohibits the Land of the Rising Sun from having a complete military (only the Self-Defense Forces are allowed).

The majority in favor of the constitutional amendment stated that Article 9 prevents Japan from possessing offensive weapons, including long-range cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, while Japan's rival is China. The country is getting stronger and equipped with more and more modern weapons.

Kyodo news agency said that, if Article 9 is removed, it is likely that Japan's Aegis destroyers will be equipped with long-range cruise missiles for the first time. This weapon can perform counter-sea and ground attacks.

XASM-3 supersonic anti-ship missile (photo : Piromy)

This source added that the LRASM (ship-based version) and Tomahawk missiles are currently being paid special attention by the Japanese Ministry of Defense.

"No matter what type of missile is purchased, integrating them on the Japanese Aegis battleship is very easy because it is designed to be launched from the Mk-41 launch tube. Currently Japanese destroyers are equipped with multiple launch systems, this feature," Kyodo said.

Along with the plan to buy long-range cruise missiles, Japanese government sources said the country has decided to develop air-to-ship cruise missiles for the first time to be fitted to fighter aircraft.

The plan aims to strengthen Japan's deterrence by increasing the missile's range to more than 400km. This development program is based on Japan's XASM-3 supersonic air-to-ship missile with a range of less than 200km.

(Datviet)